Hands Free with Vauva Pack

I received a discount on merchandise for my honest review. All the opinions contained in this post are mine. 

After our trip to Colorado, I decided that I couldn't manage a purse and a toddler anymore. I have been reluctant to give up my purse for a long time. You see, I love my designer bags. And I also don't switch out bags very often. I buy a purse and wear it until that purse's cost is pennies on each wear (Ex: I bought a Louis Vuitton Neverfull when I graduated from grad school as a gift to myself. I used that bag daily for nearly SEVEN years. At $700, that purse cost me $0.27 a day).  But I digress. A couple weeks after our trip, after a particularly exhausting day of errands, I decided I had no choice but to switch to a hands free bag. I figured a backpack would be the best option and I started my research. 

I had a few requirements: 

• not too large
• not too small
• a good number of compartments
• simple
• didn't look like a diaper bag
• didn't look like a schoolkid backpack

I asked in one of my mommy groups and had a couple of great recommendations. But none of them was really what I was looking for. Lo and behold, I find that this company, Vauva, started following me on Instagram, and I check out their page. Of course, they would have exactly what I was looking for, because, duh, it was started by two parents. I reached out and they were willing to work with me, which made me so so excited. 

So I ordered my bag and it actually arrived in the middle of Caleb's birthday party. But the following day I was so excited to open it and fill it with all of mine and Caleb's belongings. The bag certainly met all of my requirements. And I hadn't realized how free I would feel when I didn't have to worry about a bag in my hand or on my shoulders!

Now, about the bag. It's a synthetic leather (which means it's low maintenance and super easy to keep clean). The inside is polyester - also easy to clean! It looks chic and sleek. It isn't bulky or cumbersome. It's also the most gorgeous red color inside. It has two pockets on the sides, for things like cell phone, keys, and chapstick. It has a zippered compartment on the front of the bag - I keep antibacterial wipes, sanitary products, and my lipgloss or powder if I need it in there. There is also a zippered pocket on the back of the bag where I keep my wallet and my Kindle (for when he falls asleep in the car and I don't want to mess with him), along with anything else that is valuable and I want to make sure can't be pickpocketed.  

The inside of the bag has four pockets, one insulated for keeping drinks hot or cold. The other three are of varying sizes and are great for keeping pacifiers, toys, crayons, and other small items. There is also a zippered compartment, and I've been putting his snacks in there. 

The bag comes with a changing pad and a wet/dry bag. I keep his diapers, a disposable changing table cover, and a garbage baggie for poopy diapers in there and then tuck it into the changing pad. When he needs a diaper change, everything is in one place and I don't have to go rummaging through the bag. I keep that in the large compartment along with Caleb's Kindle (the bulky cover makes it hard to fit into the back pocket), a little notebook for coloring, my glasses, and anything else that might be too large for one of the pockets. 

Above is pictured everything I keep in the bag on a regular basis. This is all stuff that will get me through a day out on the street with Caleb. We are headed to Disney soon, and this is probably what the bag will have inside, minus the two Kindles, for about 5 or 6 hours at the park (we don't typically spend an entire day there). If you're trying to fit everything but the kitchen sink in your bag, it's probably not the one for you. But if you want to streamline your stuff and feel like you have it all together, then this is definitely the perfect bag for you. 

LOOK MA, NO HANDS! 

I love that I can load Caleb in the car, put away the stroller, and get in my car, all without having to stop to put my purse in the front seat because it's in my way. And while we're out, I can hold his hand, carry him, push the stroller, or whatever it is I have to do, and not worry that my bag is isn my way. 

I love how classy and simple the bag is. It looks put together enough that I can rock it with my workout clothes like I did here or with a cute outfit to spend the day out and about with my family. It's also completely functional and comfortable. The straps are like school backpack straps and help the weight of the bag stay evenly distributed on your back, without digging into your shoulders. 

Last but not least, is price. When I saw that this bag was under $100, I couldn't believe it, especially when a lot of other bags I looked at were half as functional and double the price. Even better, though, is that from now until the end of February, Vauva is giving YOU, my beloved readers, a special hookup for 25% off! Use the code "TOPKNOT" at checkout, and save yourself some money on this bag. Or show your hubby this post and drop some major hints for Valentine's Day! ;) 

​I can't wait to see all you super mamas rocking this bag and simplifying your life while you do it. When you do, post your pics, hashtag them #vauvamama and send them to me! I'd love to hear how much you love your Vauva pack! 

I'm off to order the beige one, friends! 

xoxo, 

​Jenise